Past projects 20
Fuel Up for Finals!
Funded Dec 30, 2019My students benefit from snack items on a daily basis. When they arrive late to school or have not had enough to eat, they know they can pick up something to get them through the day. Individual snack items are used by students in my classes and beyond. Students do not have access to food for a variety of reasons, but the result is the same. Hungry kids do not have the fuel they need to succeed.
I submitted this particular project to purchase snacks for upcoming finals. From January 22-24, students' schedules are disrupted and they feel the stress of semester finals. Students with special needs feel increased strain over these days.
Our students are greeted with love. They know we are here to help meet their needs.
Sometimes, an extra snack and a pep talk can turn a student's day around
and keep them going. Thank you again for supporting Benson Polytechnic students and public education.”
With gratitude,
Ms. V. Silenzi
This classroom project was brought to life by Biz and Livia Stone and one other donor.Tech Support in Academic Support!
Funded Dec 3, 2019We received our Chromebooks last week, and IT connected to our network within a day. Students have been using them daily in my Academic Support classroom. Having enough Chromebooks available for small group instructional activities has improved our efficiency, my classroom management, and students' rates of work completion.
Students access online resources for their classes via Google Classroom websites. They use district-sponsored software to view their grades and access their transcripts to monitor completion of graduation requirements. With a Chromebook available for every student in my room, everyone can access assignments and classroom resources, as well as their grades, immediately. I do not need to dismiss students to the library or go in search of a computer lab with an open seat. Students get to work more quickly, and stay on task. I also do not need to allow students to use their phones as tools. Chromebooks limit distractions!
With access to technology, students are ready to learn and complete work. I appreciate your help in bringing additional Chromebooks our classroom. Happy holidays and thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. V. Silenzi
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 7 other donors.Dollars & 'Sense' and Classroom Supplies
Funded Sep 10, 2019Thank you, again, for supporting my classroom project, "Dollars & Sense." You may not think colorful, new notebooks and currency stickers would make a great impact, but they did! Students were all smiles as they created their financial literacy journals.
We are following a nine-week course in financial literacy from the nonprofit group, Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF). Students started the course with an eye-opening diagnostic exam. They realized how much they don't know about money management, banking, investing, and credit scores. After taking the exam, each class had 100 questions. Students have all heard or experienced stories of financial struggles, and they not only have excellent insight, but they're ready to avoid their families' and friends' mistakes.
Thank you for helping me provide basic supplies as part of this unit of study. Our notebooks are filling up with research points, definitions, and notes of interest. I am excited to continue teaching this course!”
With gratitude,
Ms. V. Silenzi
This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab Foundation and 3 other donors.Interesting Topics = Reading Teens!
Funded Aug 6, 2019Thank you for your donations to our project "Interesting Topics = Reading Teens" in Academic Support. It was wonderful to hear that the entire project was funded! We were excited to receive our news magazines, including Science World and Choices. Each month, students read articles about current scientific advances around the world. We also cover articles related to teen health, positive peer choices, and social/emotional growth.
My students are engaged, hard-working kids who deserve the best. Your help in meeting their reading comprehension, science, and social/emotional instructional needs is greatly appreciated.”
With gratitude,
Ms. V. Silenzi
This classroom project was brought to life by Neukom Family Foundation and 3 other donors.Financial Literacy in Academic Support
Funded Aug 14, 2019As part of our work in my Academic Support classroom, students participate in specially designed instruction in math. I seek to accelerate students' abilities while helping them work through Geometry and Algebra classes. Over the last few years, I have noticed a clear gap in Financial Literacy. Students do not understand how the financial world works.
This year, I will be spending half our math time teaching Financial Literacy lessons. I have participated in Next Generation's professional development opportunities over the summer, and I have collected a number of resources. Your donations helped fund our classroom Financial Lessons Library. By next week, students will be using classroom texts like "Save Wisely, Spend Happily," "Get a Financial Life," and "My Money Cheat Sheet" to begin financial research.
Thank you for your support of our classroom project and public education. We appreciate your help, and look forward to a great year!”
With gratitude,
Ms. V. Silenzi
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 3 other donors.Students Succeed with Flexible Seating
Funded Jul 11, 2019Thank you again for your donations to my flexible seating project! I moved classrooms this fall, and was excited to access a larger classroom with a wall of windows. To make the most of the space, I ordered seating options in hopes of creating separate work areas. We just received a bright, beautiful jute & cloth braided rug, colorful flex chairs, and two standing desks.
Students were excited to unwrap and assemble our new furniture. One of the perks of teaching in a polytechnic high school is that we build classroom community by building! Students are working together, reading directions, and comparing notes while they assemble our second standing desk right now.
I appreciate your help in making this work space hum with activity. The classroom is beautiful and students feel valued. Here's to a great year!”
With gratitude,
Ms. V. Silenzi
This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 14 other donors.Organize Supplies and Optimize Learning!
Funded Dec 26, 2018Thank you for funding my classroom project, "Organize Supplies and Optimize Learning!" You contributed to a project to purchase Algebra and Geometry teaching tools and student supplies. Students regularly refer to the Algebra study guides while they work. I have already used the assessments from Take Five, and more than one class has used the Order of Operations Flashcards for practice. I was also able to provide necessary supplies to students at the start of second semester. Many of the families with whom I work are not able to purchase a second round of school supplies each year. With your help, over half of my students replaced binders, folders, notebook paper, and pencils. Thank you for your support of public education, our students, and my classroom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. V. Silenzi
Motivating Learners in Academic Support
Funded May 16, 2018Thank you for your support of my classroom project Motivating Learners in Academic Support! I ordered two workbooks for use in our small groups and during independent reading time. The ADHD Workbook for Teens and The Executive Functioning Workbook for Teens are informative and engaging. Students are able to learn more about their specific needs and classroom strategies to overcome obstacles. With your donations, I also ordered basic classroom supplies for students. They used folders to get organized, and they stocked up on regular and mechanical pencils. We appreciate your attention, care, and support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. V. Silenzi
Graphing Calculators Give Us an Edge!
Funded May 3, 2018Thank you again for your generous donations to my project, Amazing Mathematicians! I was excited to see how quickly the project was funded, and we received the set of 10 graphing calculators and pencils within a week of funding. Students enjoyed putting the batteries into the calculators and making sure we had all the necessary accessories. Their thoughts are as follows:
"We don't have to interrupt math classes to borrow graphing calculators."
"It will help people who take their math tests in this classroom."
"When students are working on their math homework, they have a calculator right here."
"Some students can't afford the graphing calculators. We can use them in this classroom."
It is, indeed, helpful and more efficient to have all necessary supplies and materials on hand in my classroom. Students taking Algebra, Advanced Algebra, Geometry, Financial Literacy, and Calculus will have access to the calculators.
Thank you again for your support of public education, my teaching, and my students' success. We appreciate your care and involvement.”
With gratitude,
Ms. V. Silenzi
Amazing Mathematicians!
Funded Mar 24, 2018Thank you again for your generous donations to my project, Amazing Mathematicians! I received the calculators and large supply of pencils within a week of final funding. You might be surprised to learn that my high school students were happy to receive two new pencils after Spring Break!
Your donations bought a collection of calculators and the pencils. As a Learning Specialist teacher, I work with students in grades 9-12. We cover English, Geometry, Algebra, U.S. and Modern World History, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and more. As you can see, this is a wide variety of topics. The more resources I have at my disposal, the better. Being able to use calculators, without going back and forth to other classrooms, is helpful and efficient.
Thank you for your support of public education, my teaching, and my students' success. We appreciate your care and involvement.”
With gratitude,
Ms. V. Silenzi